Obituaries by LocationRalph L. McKissick
Ralph L. McKissick, 58, of Butler died at 5:05 a.m. Tuesday at Butler Memorial Hospital.
Born Aug. 6, 1944, in Butler, he was the son of the late Nelson Abraham and Stella Margaret Setnar McKissick.
Mr. McKissick was a security guard. He was a member of the East Brady American Legion Post and the North American Hunting Club. He was an Army veteran and served with the Old Guard in Washington, D.C.
Surviving are his companion, Nancy Herman; a daughter, Mrs. James (Julie) Kelley of Gibsonia; a son, Edward McKissick of Butler; and nine grandchildren.
Also surviving are five sisters, Mrs. Leo (Mary Ann) Geagan, Mrs. Glenn (Linda) Pugh and Mrs. Wayne (Wanda) Anthony, all of Butler, and Mrs. Thomas (Dorothy) Nail of Portersville and Treada Braun of Bridgewater; a brother, Nelson “Sonny” McKissick of Butler; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A brother preceded him in death.
McKISSICK - Private graveside services for Ralph L. McKissick, who died Tuesday, May 27, 2003, will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at Crown Hill Cemetery , Prospect. The Rev. Oden Warman, pastor of Christ Community United Methodist Church, will officiate. Graveside military honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 249.
YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, Butler, is handling arrangements.
William J. Kessler Sr.
William J. “Pappy” Kessler Sr., 82, of Cranberry Township died Sunday at St. John Specially Care Center, Mars.
Born in Pittsburgh, July 16, 1920, he was the son of William and Mary Kessler.
He was a Mars area business owner. He was a lifetime member of the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club and co-owner of the 09 Racing Team. In 1955, he was National Sprint Car Champion. He then started stock car racing and remained involved in racing until his death.
Mr. Kessler was a World War II veteran and a member of the Cranberry Township VFW post. He also belonged to the Cranberry Elks Lodge 2249.
He is survived by two sons, William J. Jr. and Hank Kessler; a brother, Regis Kessler; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Kessler, and a son.
KESSLER - Friends of William J. “Pappy” Kessler Sr., who died Sunday, May 25, 2003, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at BOCK FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Mount Royal Blvd. A blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mars Cemetery .
Harry E. Haugh
Harry E. Haugh, 68, of Parker died Tuesday morning at Butler Memorial Hospital after an illness.
Born Sept. 18, 1934, in Perry Township, Clarion County, he was the son of Harold Wade and Cora Mae Cooper Haugh.
In 1960, he began a 36-year career as a custodian at Parker High School. When the new elementary school was built in Parker, he was given the custodial position in that building and retired in 1996 from the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District.
Mr. Haugh was recognized in 1992 by the Parker City Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years of continuous service. He also served with the fire police in Parker City for decades until health prevented his participation.
He was honorably discharged from the Army Aug. 20, 1957. He was a Protestant.
Surviving are his wife, Dora “Dode” Hottel Haugh; two sisters, June Hovis of Belleview Fla., and Mary Kriebel of Wheatland; two brothers, Harold “Bud” Haugh of Petersburg, Ohio, and William Haugh of Southgate, Mich.; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Two sisters and two brothers preceded him in death.
HAUGH - Friends of Harry E. Haugh, who died Tuesday, May 27, 2003, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at H. JACK BUZARD FUNERAL HOME, Wayne Street, Parker. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Parker Presbyterian Cemetery .
Members of Parker City Volunteer Fire Department will hold a memorial service at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Chris Hansen
Chris Hansen, 38, of Butler died Monday at Irene Stacy Personal Care Home.
Born Dec. 18, 1964, in McKeesport, he was the son of James Hansen and the late Elizabeth Coulter Hansen.
He formerly worked for the City of McKeesport.
Surviving are his father of McKeesport; two sisters, Ruthann Burke of McKeesport and Darene Trickett of Elizabeth; and three brothers, Gerald, Daniel and Kenneth Hansen, all of McKeesport.
Two brothers preceded him in death.
HANSEN - Friends of Chris Hansen, who died Monday, May 26, 2003, will be received from noon to 9 p.m. today at WILLIG FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 220 Ninth Ave., McKeesport. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. David Nolfi officiating. Burial will be at McKeesport Versailles Cemetery .
Nellie Bowser Dawson
Nellie T. Bowser Dawson, 74, formerly of Cabot, died at 5 p.m. Tuesday at her home in Saxonburg.
Born in Clarion, March 1, 1929, she was the daughter of William and Gladys Dice Kellerman.
She was a homemaker and a member of Christ is the Answer Chapel.
Surviving are her husband, James F. Dawson, whom she married Oct. 15, 1994; five sons, William Kellerman of Butler, John Bowser of Callensburg, Thomas and Rick Bowser both of Saxonburg and Eugene Bowser of Kittanning; four daughters, Mrs. Kenneth (Barbara) Wilbert of Marwood, Mrs. Charles (Nellie) Stiffy of Callensburg, Margie Ann Bowser of Saxonburg and Mrs. Charles (Deborah) Kirkwood of Cabot; 22 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by two brothers, Raymond Kellerman of Clintonville and Eugene Kellerman of Knox.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, John F. Bowser Sr., who died Aug. 12, 1991; three sisters; and a daughter.
DAWSON - Friends of Nellie T. Bowser Dawson, who died Tuesday, May 27, 2003, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at FOX FUNERAL HOME, Saxonburg. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Earl Huston, her church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Saxonburg Memorial Church Cemetery .
Rosalyn M. Mervis
On May 20, 2003, Rosalyn M. Mervis, 79, died at her home at Sherwood Oaks, Cranberry Township.
She is survived by two cousins, Seretta Segal and Faye Reidborg, both of Pittsburgh; and was preceded in death by her sister, Sally Boyle, and her nephew, Ian Alpern.
Ms. Mervis had a distinguished career in public service. She served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and rose to the rank of commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
After graduating from the then Carnegie Institute of Technology summa cum laude in 1950, she earned her Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina in 1954 and her Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1974.
She served as director of health education for the Tuberculosis League and was later chief of health education for Allegheny County. At the time of her retirement in 1978, she was research associate professor of public health at the University of Pittsburgh and subsequently taught horticulture at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Sherwood Oaks. Arrangements are entrusted to GLENN-KILDOO FUNERAL HOME, Cranberry Township.
Andrew A. Kapelewski
Andrew A. Kapelewski, 85, formerly of New Kensington, died Tuesday at Concordia Homes, Winfield Township, where he lived since 1999.
Born Nov. 26, 1917, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of Alex A. and Alexandra Strenkowska Kapelewski.
He retired in 1983 as Western Pennsylvania supervisor for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission after almost 40 years. He also had worked in the Housing and Urban Development Office in New Kensington and served as a New Kensington councilman in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Mr. Kapelewski was a member of Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church of New Kensington and the New Kensington Sons of Italy, where he was instrumental in the group’s building campaign. He was an avid golfer and a member of Vista Royale Golf Club in Vero Beach, Fla.
During World War II, he served with the Army’s 70th Malaria Control Unit in the Persian Gulf Command and was a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and the World War II Victory Ribbon.
Surviving are a son, John Stephen Kapelewski and his wife, Genevieve of Middletown, Conn.; a daughter, Karen A. McHugh and her husband, Dr. J. Gary McHugh of Butler; a brother, Joseph Kapelewski of New Kensington; four grandchildren, John Kapelewski Jr., Kristen Kapelewski Mulberry, Maura McHugh Starshak and Kari McHugh; and seven great-grandchildren, Tyler, Nicholas, John Michael, Cloe, Alexa, Connor and Kathryn.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Mary Ann Pugliese Kapelewski, who died Feb. 7, 1998; a brother, Benjamin Kaylor; and two sisters, Wanda Strenkowski and Molly Papaila.
KAPELEWSKI - Friends of Andrew A. Kapelewski, who died Tuesday, May 27, 2003, will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME, 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, where prayers of transfer will be held at 9:35 a.m. Saturday. A Christian funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mount St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 100 Freeport Road, New Kensington. Burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell.
A parish wake service will be held Friday at the funeral home.
Robert F. Hindman
Robert F. “Bob” Hindman, 68, of Decatur, Miss., died Tuesday at Rush Hospital, Meridian, Miss.
A retired Army bird colonel, he served in the Green Beret Special Forces, served several tours of duty overseas and also worked in the criminal investigation division of the Army.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Decatur American Legion Post.
Mr. Hindman was an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow. He received a political science degree from the University of New York.
Surviving are his wife, Lillie Kate Hindman; five sons, Robert Michael Hindman of Port Gibson, Miss., Wade Walters of Hattiesburg, Miss, Wayne and Daron Walters, both of Madison, Miss., and Joe Walters of Bay St. Louis, Miss.; and two daughters, Cynthie Leigh Hindman of Kingsland, Ga. and Kristi Michelle Cox of Forest, Miss.; 14 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Also surviving are a sister, Kathie Migliori of Ellwood City; and a nephew.
His first wife, Betty Lou “Cindy” Hindman, preceded him in death.
HINDMAN - Friends of Robert F. “Bob” Hindman, who died Tuesday, May 27, 2003, will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at BARHAM FUNERAL HOME, Newton, Miss. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Barham Chapel in Newton with Bishop Charles White officiating. Burial will be at Decatur Cemetery in Mississippi.
Memorial donations may be made to the Decatur American Legion Post.
Marilyn Yvonne Wolfe
Marilyn Yvonne Wolfe, 60, of Johnston Avenue, Kittanning, died Sunday at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital.
Born July 23, 1942, in Kittanning, Armstrong County, she was the daughter of Lois Larrimer DuBrock and the late Edward DuBrock.
She was a social worker for Arc Manor.
Mrs. Wolfe belonged to the Kittanning Church of God.
She enjoyed reading and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband, Ronald Wolfe Sr., whom she married June 20, 1959.
Also surviving is a son, Ronald Wolfe Jr. of Renfrew; three daughters, Mrs. Mohamed (Tammie) Ghoneim of McGrann, Mrs. John (Donna) Ritter and Mrs. Dan (Lisa) McAvley, both of Kittanning; a brother, William DuBrock of Erie; three grandchildren; and her mother of Kittanning.
WOLFE - Friends of Marilyn Yvonne Wolfe, who died Sunday, May 25, 2003, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at BAUER FUNERAL HOME, 515 N. McKean St., Kittanning. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the funeral home, with the Rev. Robert Grimm, pastor of the Kittanning Church of God, officiating. Burial will be in the Lawn Burial Estates, East Franklin Township, Armstrong County.
Marilyn Yvonne Wolfe
Survivors of Marilyn Yvonne Wolfe of Kittanning, include a daughter, Mrs. Dan (Lisa) McAuley of Kittanning, whose last name was incorrect in the obituary in Tuesday’s newspaper. Six grandchildren also survive. An incorrect number of grandchildren appeared in the obituary.
Sarah C. ‘Cass’ Smith
Sarah C. “Cass” Smith, 85, of Meridian died at 3:45 p.m. Saturday at Sunnyview Nursing Home.
Born Jan. 5, 1918, in Butler, she was the daughter of J. LeMoyne Cross and Mariea Augusta Ihlenfeld Cross.
She was a member of St. John’s Reformed Church. She loved going on camping trips and enjoyed crafts.
Surviving are two daughters, Barbara McCall of Anchorage, Alaska, and Ruth Frazier of Butler; a son, Thomas C. Smith of Penn Township; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. A brother, Charles Cross of Wilmington, Del., also survives.
Her husband, Charles N. Smith, whom she married March 25, 1938, died April 8, 2002. A daughter, a sister and two brothers also preceded her in death.
SMITH - Friends of Sarah C. “Cass” Smith, who died Saturday, May 24, 2003, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, 127 W. Jefferson St. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with her pastor, the Rev. Robert Peterson, officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Burial Estates, Mount Chestnut.
